Lahm bids 'bitter farewell' to Champions League

Philipp Lahm has posted an Instagram message following a disappointing end to his Champions League career.

Published

19 April 2017

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm described Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Real Madrid as a "bitter farewell" to the competition.

The holders secured a 4-2 win after extra-time at Santiago Bernabeu to seal a 6-3 aggregate triumph and a place in the semi-finals.

Bayern were on the wrong end of three controversial refereeing decisions, with Arturo Vidal given a second yellow card for what appeared to be a fair challenge, before Cristiano Ronaldo completed his hat-trick with two goals from offside positions in extra-time.

Lahm, who will retire at the end of the season, praised his team-mates for their fighting spirit, but conceded that it was a difficult way to play his last game in the competition.

"Despite a strong performance, it was not enough to continue to the semi-finals," he wrote on Instagram. "It is a bitter farewell from the Champions League - especially for me personally, after so many years.

"However, the attitude of the team and their strength to fight against problems, shows big potential - @FCBayern will be back!"

"It was an extremely emotional spectacle. You can only compliment both teams. It was great football," he said.

"Unfortunately it was determined by the referee, at our expense.

"It wasn't even a foul by Vidal, but of course Vidal was already at risk. This weakened us, of course, as it did in the first leg when [Javi] Martinez was sent off.

"It killed us. That must be said very clearly. Arturo gets to the ball in front of the Madrid player. It was not a foul. That's why it shouldn't be a yellow-red card.

"If you play against a team like Real with 10, it becomes difficult. The whole team fought well. Then we were in extra-time and suddenly it's 4-2 thanks to the most curious decisions from the officials."